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Healthcare Facilities:
Beyond Building Code
Compliance
Scott Voelkerding, PE, CFPS
Fire Protection Engineer
September 16, 2010
Overview
Fire Protection: The Holistic Approach
Applicable Codes and Standards
Engaging Authorities in Design
Accreditation Requirements
Example Citations
Existing Facilities
states
NJ Pending
Occupancy Classifications
IBC (2009)
Assembly Group A
Business Group B
Educational Group E
Factory Group F
High-Hazard Group H
Institutional Group I
Mercantile Group M
Residential Group R
Storage Group S
Utility and Miscellaneous Group U
classified as Group B if
occupancy is less than 24 hours
Specific requirements for sprinklers,
fire alarms and smoke compartments
IBC 2006
0.3
0.2
0.7
0.3
0.3 (AS)
0.6 (NS)
0.3 (AS)
NA (NS)
0.4
0.2
IBC 2009
Engaging Authorities
Fire Marshal
State Fire Marshal
Building Department
Government Fire Protection Engineer
Underwriter Requirements
FM
Data Sheets
Joint
Commission Statement of
Conditions
Center for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS)
Accreditation Requirements
Accreditation Requirements
HITF Interpretation
Examples
Corridor
Exit Discharge
Non-paved
Sprinkler Obstructions
Patient
Area
minutes
Example Citations
Following are several examples of
common citations
Even the best designed systems are
subject to oversights or differing field
conditions
Incorrect mounting
height
Operable part of
manual fire alarm box
shall be not less than
42 inches and not
more than 48 inches
above the floor level.
NFPA 72 (2010)
17.14.4
Notification Appliance
Mounting
Incorrect mounting of
devices
Equipment installed
shall be listed for the
purpose for which it is
used.
NFPA 72 (2010) 10.3.1
Synchronization
Visible notification
devices not synchronized
High flash rates of
strobes may pose a risk
of seizure to people with
photosensitive epilepsy.
Visible appliances in the
same field of view should
be synchronized.
NFPA 72 (2010)
A.18.5.4.3.2(3)
Storage
Obstructions to
equipment
Manual fire alarm
boxes shall be
installed so that
they are
conspicuous,
unobstructed, and
accessible.
NFPA 72 (2010)
17.14.5
Device Maintenance
System components
shall be installed,
tested, and maintained
in accordance with
manufacturers
published instructions
and the Code.
NFPA 72 (2010) 10.3.2
Site Maintenance
Fire department
connections shall be
maintained without
obstruction by fences,
bushes, trees, walls, or
any other fixed or
moveable object.
IFC (2009) 912.3
Sprinkler Response
Where quick
response sprinklers
are installed, all
sprinklers within a
compartment shall
be quick-response
unless otherwise
permitted
NFPA 13 (2007)
8.3.3.2
Obstructions
Obstructions to sprinkler
discharge
Install sprinklers under
fixed obstructions over 4
feet wide
Examples: ducts, decks,
open deck flooring,
overhead doors
NFPA 13 2007 8.5.5.3.1
Sprinkler Maintenance
System should be
properly
maintained at all
times to ensure
reliability
Obvious
impairments should
be repaired
immediately and
will fail inspections
Firestopping
Through penetrations of
fire resistance rated
construction shall be
protected by a firestop
system in accordance
with ASTM E 814 or UL
1479
Polyurethane
expanding foam NOT
acceptable
IBC (2009) 713.3.1.2
NFPA 101
New
vs. Existing
Building Rehabilitation
IBC
Chapter
34
Compliance Alternatives Evaluation
NFPA 101A
Fire
Summary
Involve fire protection engineer in
design process
Establish (editions of) applicable
codes and standards early in design
Engage Authorities Having
Jurisdiction early and often
Consult accreditation documents,
underwriter standards, HITF
Interpretations
Consider FSES for existing facilities
Questions?